Lifeguard charged with Chicago teen's murder; surveillance video released
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WGN) A 55-year-old man has been charged for his role in a shooting at Douglass Park that killed one teen and injured another on Thursday, the Chicago Police Department announced.

Surveillance video, obtained by affiliate WGN through a source, captures the moments leading up to the shooting.

Charles Leto, a Chicago Park District lifeguard, is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing Sunday afternoon.

The footage shows a man, identified as Leto, working on his bike as a group of teens approaches. Suddenly, the man jumps up and opens fire on the teens.

Shortly after the shooting, the man is seen kneeling on the ground with a gun lying next to his knee.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office says 15-year-old Marjay Dotson was killed after being shot in the back during the incident.

Marjay Dotson (Photo provided by family)

Jeremy Herred, a 14-year-old sophomore at UIC College Prep, was shot in the neck and remains hospitalized.

The Sun-Times reports the suspect told police he has a concealed carry license and claims he acted in self-defense. He says the teens allegedly followed him, attacked him and tried to steal his bike.

A witness told police she was standing next to the man, who was fixing his bike, when a group, which included the two teens, approached him, according to the Sun-Times.

Jeremy Herred (Photo provided by family)

The witness said the man reached into his bag and grabbed his gun, then fired the weapon and struck the teens, according to the Sun-Times.

Leto has been charged with the following:

  • Murder
  • Attempted murder
  • Aggravated battery/discharge firearm
  • Aggravated discharge firearm

Jeff Neslund, the attorney for both teens, issued a statement after the charges were announced, saying in part:

“The families take solemn relief that the justice system is now engaged with the announcement of criminal charges against the shooter.”

At a press conference at Grace Memorial Church on Friday, Neslund firmly denied that there was any altercation or provocation involving the alleged shooter.

“No justification to shoot a child in the back anywhere. Let alone a public pool or park. We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he said.

Neslund says both boys were unarmed and argues that prosecutors should pursue hate crime charges against the man. Their families echo that call.

“I need justice to be swift, I need it to be exact, I need it to be strong in this matter,” Rev. Marvin Hunter, senior pastor of Grace Memorial Church, said.

Leto’s legal team is not commenting on his charges at this time.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump Administration Moves to Suspend SNAP Food Aid Payments Following Court Ruling

BOSTON – In a dramatic turn of events, the Trump administration has…

Chiropractor Allegedly Surveilled Over 100 Patients Without Consent

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — A chiropractor from Illinois has been charged with…

WJHL Football Retrospective: A Historical Journey Through the Years with Hurley, Grundy, and Twin Valley

SOUTHWEST, Va. (WJHL) — The 2025 football season signifies a major turning…

Hawkins County: Fatal Shooting Claims Man’s Life on Friday, Reports HCSO

HAWKINS COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Authorities in Hawkins County are delving into…

End of an Era: Why the Farmer’s Almanac is Closing After 208 Years of Legacy

(NewsNation) — The conclusion of a significant chapter is upon us. The…

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Temporarily Blocks Full SNAP Payments Order Amid Ongoing Legal Battle

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has temporarily paused an order that…

Illinois Dominates Florida Gulf Coast as Boswell Shines with Career-High Performance

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) – The Illinois men’s basketball team is off to…

Eastman Announces 7% Workforce Reduction Globally by End of Year

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Eastman has revealed plans to trim its global…

Shocking Allegations: Aiken County Substitute Teacher Faces Sexual Battery Charges

Correction: This article has been updated to clarify that the individual in…

Breaking: Israel Recovers Remains of Hostage Killed at War’s Outset in Gaza

JERUSALEM – On Saturday, Israeli officials confirmed that the remains of a…

US Economy Shows Signs of Cooling as October Jobs Report Stalls

While the official October jobs report won’t be available this Friday, insights…

Florida Schedules Execution for Man Convicted in Fatal Home Invasion Stabbing

Mark Allen Geralds, aged 58, is set to face execution by lethal…